Envy (3 page)

I did say I loved shopping right?

Only, I’ve forgotten why I enjoy shopping at the minute because I’ve been sat in the same place for the past forty minutes whilst Lauren has tried on every dress in the damn shop. Oh, but that’s after she dragged me around a bunch of other stores and was unsuccessful. I managed to grab myself a couple of pairs of new jeans and some fresh new Converse but that’s about it. I’ve had to help Lauren choose her perfect outfit for her job interview tomorrow.

She’s really nervous about it but I don’t know why. I already know she’s going to kick ass and ace the interview. Try telling her that though, she’s worked herself into a state of panic and the only way that’s going to calm her is to try and find a new outfit.

Lauren then steps out in a white fitted pencil skirt, with black a zig zagged pattern and a black blouse that has an unusual v neck, but it works really well.

“You look hot!” I praise when she steps out.

“You think?” She asks, sounding so unsure like all the rest.

Lauren keeps turning and looking at herself in the mirror.

“Lauren, you look gorgeous.” I assure her.

“You don’t think it’s too slutty?” She asks me.

My face goes black, I have no expression. “Seriously? After the shit Demon made us wear, and you think a blouse and a skirt that reaches your knees is too slutty?”

Lauren bites down on her lip. “Crap, sorry I didn’t think.”

I walk up close to her. “Lauren, everything you’ve tried on has been great. Get the outfit and relax. You will be fine.”

She lets out a huge breath and scrapes her long hair back with her fingers. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

After she keeps apologising and gets changed, she decides to buy the outfit, along with some extra tops and a few more jeans and we’re good to go. Finally.

As Natasha drives us back home I sit in silence, just staring out the window and listen as Natasha sings along to Maroon 5. I can’t stop thinking about Maisy. I really want to reach out to my sister, but I’m still worried that the Devils are still lurking around the corner.

I know I killed Demon, but I don’t know what’s happened to Strike and Andrew. I saw the look in Strike’s eyes when he thought he finally had me back. I saw the look of hatred in his eyes when Demon walked in and took his toy from him. Strike wants me for himself and now that I’ve killed Demon I’ve given him the go ahead. I’m just glad I have Brandon and his club to keep me safe. Without them I’d be either a miserable prisoner or dead.

“You’ll be fine.” Natasha adds in between her singing.

“Huh?” I ask as I break my stare from out the window and look to her.

“Your interview tomorrow.” She smiles. “You’ll ace it.”

I breathe a heavy sigh and lean my head back against the seat. “I hope so.”

“I fucking know so!” Natasha shouts and I have to laugh. I love this girl.

***

I wake the next morning and my belly is in knots. I am so fucking nervous for today!

I roll over onto my back and look over to Brandon, he’s still asleep. I take the chance to look him over, he’s such a gorgeous man. I’ve been a little worried about him. He’s starting to look tired and stressed. I want to ask him what’s wrong but I don’t want to over step my boundaries but another part of me is thinking that Brandon is my man and I can ask him whatever I please. I’m just worried about him.

I take in his many tattoos and smile when I see his new addition. I can’t believe he actually got it. I will always remember the day, Brandon walked into the clubhouse proudly after he had been out all day. I’d been wondering where he had been, but I wouldn’t voice it, a good old lady has trust in her man and me asking where the VP was all day wouldn’t look good on either of us.

He walked right over to me and grabbed me in a heated kiss then explained that he had a surprise for me. Baby and Devlin were standing behind him with knowing smirks as Brandon sat me down. He stood back and I looked around him for a clue. I couldn’t see anything, so where was this surprise?

I sat in shock as he removed his leather vest. This caught some attention from not only the women who were standing around, but club members too. They all watched along with me as he handed me his vest and then began to lift his shirt. When I saw his ‘surprise’ my eyes widened and I heard a collective gasp from people who surrounded me.

On Brandon’s side, was a picture of me and I know which photo he had taken it from. I was on a night out with the girls, I admit I was looking hot in a short red dress, matching red heels with my black hair hanging straight around my shoulders. Brandon had made love to me twice before I left the house and was waiting for me when I returned, naked and hard.

I looked at myself, tattooed on the side of Brandon’s chest, speechless. It’s an amazing tattoo. Not because it’s of me, but because the detail is beautiful. You can even see the lipstick I’m wearing and the sparkle in my eyes. I’m stood in a sexy pose, black shading behind me and the colourful roses coming up from my feet. It’s a big tattoo and very brave. I just can’t believe he has me tattooed on him! Most people would have a name, or matching designs, not a large picture covering most of his flesh!

I do love it though and when I saw it, I cried from happiness. Sometimes I don’t feel worthy of this man, but he reminds me every day how much I mean to him.

Brandon stirs and when he sees me looking down at the tattoo he smiles. “Morning baby.”

I give him a smile back, the nerves for what I’m going to do today returning with vengeance. Brandon must see this and grabs me close, dragging me across the bed and up against his warm body.

“You will be great today babe.” Brandon tries to assure me, seeing right into my nerves.

I look him over and even though he’s just woken up, he still looks like he’s tired.

“Are you ok?” I ask him.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” He asks, but I notice his slight hesitation to answer me.

“You look tired and I’m not stupid. I see I how stressed you are.” I point out. “What’s wrong?”

Brandon begins to play with my hair, thinking over what to tell me.

“It’s just club business.” He finally answers. “After what the Devils did to you, taking you away and putting you through that shit again, I won’t let them get away with it.”

His words scare me. “I’m safe now.”

Brandon captures my face in his hands. “I know that, but I still want to make them pay.”

The look in his eyes is of pure hatred for the men who hurt me.

“I killed Demon.” I remind him. “Surely that’s enough.”

He gives me a sad smile. “I want to make sure every last Devil is removed from this earth.”

Brandon then snaps out of his vengeance talks and tries to take my mind away from my quizzing. He kisses my neck and I lean back to give him more room. “Let me take care of you.”

Before I know it, Brandon’s lips are gone from my neck and travelling down my naked body. I did to wear short shorts and a thin strap top to bed but after Brandon started to rip my clothing so he could pay attention to my body, I decided I might as well surrender and sleep naked. To be honest I actually prefer sleeping naked, it feels so much more freeing.

He reaches my nipple and I moan as he licks around the hard peak. I grip his head as he sucks my nipple into his mouth and my hips thrusts up involuntarily. The connection between nipple and pussy is unbelievable.

“Brandon.” I gasp, giving him a warning that I’m going to cum.

He growls as he leaves my nipple and slowly kisses down, licking my stomach as he goes even further down. He gives me direct eye contact when he reaches my most intimate area and swipes up with one long stroke. My eyes close and my head tilts back into the pillow as he licks more and more. His tongue makes me spread my legs wide and moan even louder. I grip onto Brandon’s hair, grinding my pussy in his face just to get that bit more friction. I gasp loudly as he sucks onto my clit.

“Oh god.” I moan. “I’m cuming.”

Brandon growls and I become undone.

***

“Ok, Miss Ashford,” my interviewer smiles from behind her desk. “Thank you for your time.”

I sign out of relief. “Thank you.”

She gives me a warm smile. “Don’t worry, you did a good job.”

I really like this place. Allure magazine is a top London magazine and I didn’t think I’d ever get this far in the interviewing. Believe it or not, I had to go through two previous types of tests before I even got the face to face interview today. Considering that my interviewer, Miss Cora Lockwood is the head woman around here, she’s really nice. A lot better than my previous boss. Cora Lockwood inherited the magazine. This place runs not only in her family but through her veins. She knows her shit and I’m so honoured to meet her, I just hope I’ve impressed her and got the job.

“You said in the interview that you do your own blog?” She asks, seeming honestly curious.

“Yes.” I answer. “I started it when I was just nineteen and I love it.”

She slowly nods her head and asks about my followers and interest and she seems impressed by how many people I actually have connect through my solo blog.

“That’s great Lauren, if you did join Allure then we could maybe work that into the magazine as your own little project.” She suggests.

“Wow!” I beam. “That would be amazing.”

And it really would. Not only would I get special recognition as a fashion blogger but my network would increase if I was linked to Allure. My old boss back in America never offered this opportunity. I love Cora!

She stands and I gather my belongings. We part on good terms with her promising to get in touch soon. I feel like I skip through the building and back down to my car. I’m in such a good mood, I don’t know why I was so worried!

On my drive home I think about how much I want this job. Now that I’ve met Cora Lockwood and been inside the Allure building, I want it even more. It really is the perfect job. I’d get to work with one of the top magazines, use my own blog and the hours are great too! It’s also very well paid for just a Monday to Friday job, plus three of those days I work from home!

As soon as I step through the door, Brandon and Natasha greet me and ask how it went.

“It was amazing.” I grin, unable to hide my excitement.

Brandon kisses me on the head, his pride shining though.

“When do you hear if you got the job?” Natasha asks.

I’m about to answer when my phone rings. I gasp in excitement and with shaky fingers I reach into my bag. Surely this can’t be the magazine already!

“Is that them?” Brandon asks.

I look down at my phone screen and stare at shock at the strange number.

“Answer it!” Natasha shouts.

“Really?” I listen to Lauren as she holds the phone to her ear. “Thank you.”

She hangs up the phone and stares down at it in her hands. I’m shaking with excitement for her. She looks happy, she would look sad if she didn’t get the job right? She must have got it.

“Well?” Grim asks her.

Lauren looks up at us, her eyes wide and wearing a huge smile. “I got the job.”

Her voice is low and I think I just heard her say she got the job.

“You got the job?” I ask.

She nods her head and then both Grim and I run to her, grabbing each other in a group hug. We laugh and then Lauren breaks away, tears shining in her eyes.

“Why am I crying?” She giggles.

Suddenly Grim picks her up and flips her over his shoulder. Oh boy, I know what this means.

“I’ll go and tell the girls the good news.” I announce, already grabbing my phone and keys.

Lauren laughs as Grim slaps her ass. “Good idea.”

“Come back in a couple hours!” Grim shouts as he climbs the stairs. “We’re going out to celebrate tonight.”

***

“I’m so happy for Lauren.” Drew smiles as she sits through another tattoo.

When I got in the car I sent a text to Elise to ask where she was and she let me know she was with Drew while she was having another tattoo. Seriously, Drew is going mad with the tattoos.

“Me too.” Elise adds. “She seems really happy.”

“She is.” I sit beside her and grab the black folder full of tattoo designs.

The buzzing of the tattoo gun is the only noise in the quiet room for a few minutes. It’s not an awkward sort of silence, we’re good friends and comfortable with each other that we don’t have to fill each second with chatter.

Sketch, the Kings member who is tattooing Drew concentrates as he adds a deep red colour to Drew’s large rose. I see Drew looking at him and if I’m not mistaken, there’s a look of lust behind those grey eyes of hers.

“So, another tattoo?” I ask Drew.

“Yep.” She laughs. “I don’t think I’ll be able to hide them much longer.”

“You need to tell your parents.” Sketch shakes his head. “Prez will have my fucking balls.”

“I’ll protect you.” Drew winks at him.

Sketch shakes his head again and continues his work.

“He does have a point Drew.” Elise scolds. “There’s no point in lying any longer.”

“So there’s a party tonight then?” Drew asks me, totally ignoring Elise and the conversation. That’s fine, that’s her decision but I already know it will end in tears. It always does.

Just then the bell sounds, alerting Sketch of a customer entering the tattoo shop. I hear Rosanne, the shop receptionist and a Kings old lady, talking to whoever just entered. I continue to look through the pretty designs until I hear a deep and familiar laugh come from the reception area. My whole body tenses up and nerves take over me.

“Shit.” I whisper.

Drew frowns over at me. “What?”

“Devlin.”  I quickly answer her and then Devlin laughs again. At hearing her older brothers laugh Drew’s eyes widen.

“Yo Sketch!” Devlin shouts and Sketch freezes what he’s doing.

Everyone looks at each other, panicking about Drew being caught. If Devlin doesn’t like what he sees, then Sketch will be in the shit.

I jump up from my seat, just in time to block Devlin from entering the room. At seeing me his eyebrows shoot up in shock.

“Tash.” He greets. “What are you doing here?”

“Thinking of having a tattoo.” I answer quickly.

“Ok.” Devlin answers, still looking curious as to why I’m here.

Frowning, he looks around me and I try to pass him and lead him out the room but he grabs my arms and stops me from moving.

“Why don’t I believe you?” He asks me.

My face burns and I’m lost for words. What the fuck do I do?

My eyes dart to Rosanne and back to Devlin again. He’s watching me very closely.

“You fucking him?” He asks.

“What?” I’m lost, who does he think I’m fucking?

“Are you sleeping with Sketch?” He asks me.

“No!” I shout.

Devlin frowns and lets me go, and pushes me further into Sketch’s tattoo room and freezes at the door.

“What the fuck?” He asks.

I look back and see Elise now stood, Sketch is sat with his hands firmly on his knees but Drew is still lying on the chair, her shorts pulled down revealing her thigh and the large half-finished red rose.

“Drew what the fuck you doing?” He asks her and if I wasn’t so worried, I would honestly laugh.

“Dev man,” Sketch begins.

“Shut the fuck up Sketch, this is between me and my baby sister.” Devlin snaps, not even bothering to look at Sketch. His eyes stay firmly on Drew. Ok, the look on his face is now so serious that laughing is the last thing I would want to do.

Sketch cleverly stays quiet. Devlin quickly flashes his eyes to me and then back to Drew.

“You wanna tell me why you’re having yet another tattoo?” He asks her.

Drew pales. “You know I already have tattoos?”

Devlin finally smiles and steps closer to his younger sister. “Drew, you’re my sister and you think I wouldn’t notice?”

“I hid them.” She insists.

“Yeah you did, but you’re forgetting that I started getting ink when I was 14 Drew. I’m a pro at hiding so I saw the signs.” He laughs again and Drew frowns at him. “This looks like a nice piece.”

He points down to her rose and Drew smiles. “Thanks. So you think I should tell mum and dad?”

Again, Devlin laughs. “Yeah, I got news for you. Dad already knows.”

Drew’s shocked expression is hilarious. “What!”

“He suspected before me.” Devlin giggles and I can’t help but smile.

“Shit.” She sighs.

“Yeah, that don’t mean he’s happy with you. You know dad doesn’t like a liar.” Devlin looks up to me and my heart suddenly speeds up. “You knew all about this?”

He indicates to the tattoos on Drew. “Yes.”

Devlin stands and slowly walks over to me. “Sketch, carry on with Drew’s tattoo.”

He indicates for me to follow and like a good little girl, I do. Rosanne is no longer at her desk, probably catching up with her old man in one of the rooms.

“So you kept a secret from me.” Devlin says as he spins to face me.

“It wasn’t my secret to tell.” I reply.

Devlin thinks about that and then nods. “True.”

We stand in silence, facing each other and it’s not weird at all. Instead my body lights with fire and I don’t know if Devlin can notice or not. I really hope not.

“Are you going tonight?” I ask him to break the quiet.

“Where?” He tilts his head to the side in the adorable way he does.

“Lauren got the job and Grim wants to celebrate.” I answer him.

“I’ll be there to pick you up.” He tells me, right before spinning around and walking away.

“Wait!” I shout and he turns to face me again, with his hand on the door handle. “Why?”

“Why not?” He answers back and leaves the shop. I stand there in shock, not knowing what to do with myself now.

Do I go back in the room with the girls and Sketch? I know he’s restarted Drew’s tattoo because I can hear the tattoo gun.

“Plus I have to have the best looking girl on my arm.” I turn around and see Devlin back at the front door to the shop. He’s deadly serious and his words cause shit to stir in me. Without giving me chance to reply, he gives me his signature smile and leaves me standing alone.